If this is not your name, click here.
| | If this is not your name, click here. | | |
| | Contact Us | Order Now | Journals | Bookstore | Register a colleague | | |
| |  Quixin (Levofloxacin) Anti-Infective Ophthalmic Solution To Be Available In US OSAKA, JAPAN -- October 23, 2000 -- Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Takakazu Morita; Headquarters: Osaka, Japan), is pleased to announce that it has begun shipment to wholesalers and retailers of a new ocular anti-infective medication, Quixin™ (levofloxacin ophthalmic solution) 0.5%, indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Santen's Napa, California-based subsidiary, Santen Incorporated, will market the product in the rapidly growing US$150 million ocular anti-infective segment. A comprehensive launch program will be executed by a team of 70 marketing and sales personnel. Quixin is the second product to be introduced in the U.S. from a pipeline of several innovative products. Quixin will be available in retail pharmacies by November 1, 2000. Quixin is a sterile topical ophthalmic solution containing 0.5 percent levofloxacin, a potent, broad spectrum fluoroquinolone. Levofloxacin's higher solubility, at neutral pH, allows Quixin to be formulated at a higher concentration of active drug (0.5 percent) compared to other currently marketed ophthalmic fluoroquinolones (0.3 percent). In controlled clinical trials in which bacterial conjunctivitis patients were dosed for five days, Quixin demonstrated excellent clinical and microbial efficacy; 79 percent of patients experienced clinical cure and microbial eradication rates were 90 percent. "With an active drug concentration of 0.5 percent and powerful bactericidal properties, Quixin will provide physicians and patients with a powerful new option for treating common eye infections," said Santen Incorporated President and CEO, Jerry Hansen. "Santen is proud to provide the latest advance in fluoroquinolone antibacterial ophthalmic treatment to the U.S. medical community, having received priority review from the FDA and approval on August 18, less than six months from submission of the New Drug Application." Bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye," is a prevalent condition characterized by redness of the eye, mucous discharge, tearing, irritation and sensitivity to light. Quixin has shown outstanding efficacy against a wide range of causative organisms, including the most common Gram- positive and Gram-negative pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
|
